Online Shopping Part II: Giordano Online Store

In the midst of global economic instability, Giordano, one of the biggest names in fashion, continues to flourish with record profits not only in Asia but the Middle East and other parts of the world.

Hoping to reach more clients, Giordano has ventured into another formula that is focused on bringing shopping comfort to their clientele, that is online shopping.

While this has an enormous following in Hongkong and China, they have yet to conquer the hearts of the Arab market in the Middle East. "In this region, it's still more of an infancy stage, people still have issues or concerns in terms of payment security", says Giordano's Executive Director for the Middle East Operations, Ishwar Chugani. He, however, assures clients that they have already crossed the threshold taking into account Giordano's long time solid presence in the market. Efforts are being made to bring more people to their online store, offering a simpler, more convenient shopping experience in the comforts of their homes or offices.

On a different note, Giordano boasts of an Inventory Management System that is unparalleled. The company claims that one of the secrets to their success is their passion for their work in inventory management. Their inventory, according to the Mr Chugani is under control, and allows them to offer special bundle offers and deals during shopping festivals. They also never have more than 5-6% of obsolete or slow-moving merchandise because of its efficiency.

Ella Panganiban

When asked if the rising cost of raw materials is a concern, he admitted that it used to be an issue but was already stabilized to make sure they can compete in the market and never have to lose. What is more of a challenge for the company, according to Mr Chugani, is the currency fluctuation in the Eurozone and India. However, Giordano make sure to negotiate with their suppliers from China so they could work on better pricing that will not compromise the quality of the merchandise they have been known for through the years.

Listen to Mr Ishwar being interviewed by Dubai Eye 103.8



So, have you visited their our store?
Share with us your favorite Giordano online purchase.

Ella Panganiban
Giordano Social Media Executive

Online Shopping Part I: Taking a virtual brick and mortar shop right at your finger tips

Online shopping is one of the by-products of convenience and technology.  With the likes of amazon.com, ebay.com, alibaba.com and many others crossing our minds, we know that online shopping has made its mark.  After all, who amongst us has not even tried to buy online?

Admittedly, our shopping experience has been revolutionized by the convenience of online shopping.  Products are brought closer to us and we can shop anywhere in the world. The most obvious benefit of online shopping is that we save time and money – no need to deal with commuting or parking, traffic and even carrying shopping bags.

Here in the Middle East, online shopping has also taken shape.  In a recent report by a newswire company quoting research conducted by Euromonitor, customers in the region spend around $1.1 billion through the internet expected to double to $2.2 billion by 2016.  The news report said that online shopping in the region has one of the fastest growing rates in the world.

The study only took into account purchases made on physical items such as books, DVDs and clothes.  The figure can actually go higher if the study included purchases from group buying websites or even booking flights or holidays.  Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia were observed to have had tremendous growth in online purchase.  This also shows that netizens are increasingly becoming more comfortable in using their credit cards to purchase goods (or services) online.

The potential for this medium is quite high, considering that it’s still in the nascent stage in the Middle East.  While there are different schools of thoughts on how online shopping is measured – the sheer increase in online purchasing activity already drives a point.  Online shopping is in our shores and something we welcome.

We, at Giordano, also recognize that online shopping is a great way to complement our own stores.  With the launch of our e-shopping portal www.giordano-me.com, with UAE being the pilot market with view to cover other markets in the future, we are aiming to complement existing Giordano stores to make our customers’ shopping experience more convenient.  

More than sales, we want our customers to have an alternative should they not be able to go to our stores for one reason or another.  Customers can now also buy from any of the 300 Giordano items in the comfort of their own homes or offices.

Ishwar Chugani
Executive Director
Giordano Middle East

Hakbang Buhay 2012

A meaningful start of the year…

On Friday, 6^th of January, Giordano participated in the “Hakbang Buhay 2012 – Walk for Life Sendong (Washi) Victims” organized by the Philippine Business Council.This was an auspicious time to show our support not just to the community where we work but to extend it to the loved - ones of our community. 

 

The devastation caused by typhoon “Sendong” (as it’s locally known in the Philippines; international name: “Wash”) was beyond anyone’s imagination.  Towns and villages were ravaged at a time when people were peacefully asleep.  The loss of livelihood, homes and lives are simply beyond anyone’s grasp.  

When the opportunity for Giordano to help the victims of “Sendong” came up, we immediately signed up for it. You see, within Giordano’s culture, helping the community is big on the agenda – and this is a chance for us to be involved. We were overwhelmed by the support of the community to take part in this initiative and the concern and love for fellowmen shown by each and every participant of the Friday walk.  From babies to elderlies, from abled-bodied to handicapped, from people of different beliefs – we were all one in answer to a call for humanity.

Our indomitable spirit of support was stronger than the disaster itself.

Thank you for all your support.

It is a Happy New Year!

Ishwar Chugani - Executive Director

GIORDANO MEANS SERVICE CAMPAIGN

At Giordano we continuously strive to provide our customers with a total shopping experience so that we achieve our objective of selling more.

Customer Service is paramount and we strive to go that extra mile

Customers rarely buy from a company. They buy from … a person they like, a person they trust, a person who is knowledgeable, a person who delivers what is promised. They want to do business with people they know and people who know them.

Whatever you do, others can follow or even do it better. If we are to achieve continuous positive growth and be a step ahead of the competition, it is ‘YOU’ our PEOPLE – who will make the difference.

Remember in business you are never trying to beat the competition. You are trying to give your customer something other than what they are receiving from the competition.

It is a waste of time and energy trying to beat the competition because the customers don’t care about rivalry.

Ishwar Chugani

Executive Director

Giordano Middle East

It's all about retail - part 2

Customers are truly loyal to the experiences they prefer. Your loyal customers return because the experiences you create are preferable to those delivered by your competitors. The experience your brand offers is yours alone and that will provide you with a true competitive advantage.

Customer experience today has also been taken to a different level – in the virtual world. The ‘brick and mortar’ store concept of course remains a major force but a strong presence online matters – be that online selling or by merely connecting with customers through social media. How you use social media can actually spell the difference for your brand. Operationally, leveraging online formats and the use of social media can not only cut costs but can also contribute to business growth.

Knowing your customer also provides you with the ability to offer them products and a service level that they are always on the lookout for. Understanding how to better communicate your brand image to the customer is also key. The customer is KING – this is as true today as when the phrase was first coined.

Nothing will turn a shopper off more than rude or pushy salespeople, long lines at the checkout and items without tags or prices. And shoppers will not complain about these issues. It’s just too much hassle and they can’t be bothered to waste time. It could also be that they feel no matter what they say, the problem will not be resolved. Customers will simply vote with their feet, walk out and spend their cash elsewhere.

Ishwar Chugani

Executive Director

Giordano Middle East

It's all about retail - part 1

- Customer focus is the new mantra

- Change is here; dwelling on past practices will mean you miss the future

The world of retail is incredibly competitive, with customers becoming increasingly inundated by the various lines, styles and brands available and every retailer vying to get a substantial slice of the market pie.

Now, more than ever, retailing needs to be upfront, straightforward, relevant, functional and affordable. Customers will buy from someone they can trust, someone knowledgeable, someone who can actually deliver on what is promised.
While you may see some people rummaging through the myriad choices in the mall for individual items, most will not have the luxury of time to stay long, and they get confused. People instinctively turn to the familiar; brands and outlets that they know will give them what they want and need.

Many retailers tend to think that products and store ambiance alone set their advantage from competitors. With today’s technology, it is possible to match competitors’ products feature by feature, but what will set you apart is customer interaction. The experience economy is more about how you sell something than what you actually sell. Forget about product distinction. Today’s retail market is short on the ‘distinct experience’ – create one and you create an instant relationship with your customers.

Ishwar Chugani
Executive Director
Giordano Middle East 

Communicate with your customers; get to know them!

The experience economy is more about how you sell something than what you actually sell. Forget about product distinction. Today’s retail market is short on the ‘distinct experience’ – create one and you create an instant relationship with your customers.

Knowing your customer also provides you with the ability to offer them products and a service level that they are always on the lookout for. Understanding how to better communicate you brand image to the customer is also key. The customer is KING – this is as true today, as when the phrase was first coined.

Like any relationship, making it works takes trust, understanding, commitment and support – in other words – get to know your customer, make your promise and then ensure that all elements are synchronized to nurture the bond.

Ishwar Chugani

Executive Director

Giordano Middle East